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1394098 tn?1385960134

One problem after another

Hi everyone,
I am 5 months post tx.  I was UND at 4 weeks on the triple tx and I have been UND since then.  I did have a lot of sx.  And I still dont feel well.  I know that ppl have said it may take at least 6 months to feel better but I would have thought that I would feel better than this.  I still sleep 10-12 hrs a day.  If I try to get less than that, I am just nodding off all the time any way.  I dont feel like eating.  I typically have a homemade fruit smoothie with low fat or almond milk and whey protein powder in it when I wake up.  Then later on my husband makes supper which usually consists of some low fat meat, baked potatoes and a green veggie.  My snacks are usually just a glass of low fat milk.  I lost 20 lbs since I started tx.  My blood pressure went from high to 112/73 after  tx.  So when I went for my "yearly exam" with my Ob/Gyn, I expected my blood work to be good.  I complained that I was extremely tired all of the time.  Strangers have even come up to me on my good days to ask if I was ok.  I am very pale.  So she did some blood tests.  And heres what she found.  No thyroid problems, no anemia, normal liver function but high cholesterol and triglycerides.  So does anyone have a clue as to why I still feel so bad?  And does anyone know why my cholesterol went from low to high on this kind of diet?  I dont eat much and I feel very uncomfortable if I eat more.  I think my stomach shrunk on tx.  Fatty foods make me barfy.  So whats up with me? I know this doesnt seem like a Hep C question but it all started with tx. And I know this seems minor but my gyno wants me to go see my primary care Dr. because of this.  I told my husband no.  Im tired of Dr.s and tired of meds.  Honestly Im just TIRED.
Best Answer
1815939 tn?1377991799
There are many reasons for fatigue. I would have to agree with Hector that the best place to start would be with your doctor. Some of it may be from side effects of Tx or from TX triggered health problems or it may be from other medical problems which are unrelated to Hep C and Hep C Tx. Depression cause fatigue as well.


As for the Lipids, here is an article discussing the increase in lipids after eradication of the Hep C virus. I have separated out the Conclusions and will post it first:

"CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C is associated with decreased cholesterol and LDL levels. This hypolipidemia resolves with successful hepatitis C treatment but persists in nonresponders. A significant portion of successfully treated patients experience LDL and cholesterol rebound to levels associated with increased coronary disease risk. Lipids should be carefully monitored in persons receiving antiviral therapy."


"Hepatitis C associated hypolipidemia( low LDL ) has been demonstrated in studies from Europe and Africa. In two linked studies, we evaluated the relationship between hepatitis C infection and (Hep C) treatment with lipid levels in an American cohort and determined the frequency of clinically significant posttreatment hyperlipidemia. First, a case-control analysis of patients with and without hepatitis C was performed. The HCV Group consisted of 179 infected patients. The Uninfected Control Group consisted of 180 age-matched controls. Fasting cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were compared. Next was a retrospective cohort study (Treated Hepatitis C Group) of 87 treated hepatitis C patients with lipid data before and after therapy was performed. In the case-control analysis, the HCV Group had significantly lower LDL and cholesterol than the Uninfected Control Group. In the retrospective cohort, patients in the Treated Hepatitis C Group who achieved viral clearance had increased LDL and cholesterol from baseline compared to patients without viral clearance. These results persisted when adjusted for age, sex, and genotype. 13% of patients with viral clearance had increased LDL and 33% experienced increases in cholesterol to levels warranting lipid lowering therapy. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C is associated with decreased cholesterol and LDL levels. This hypolipidemia resolves with successful hepatitis C treatment but persists in nonresponders. A significant portion of successfully treated patients experience LDL and cholesterol rebound to levels associated with increased coronary disease risk. Lipids should be carefully monitored in persons receiving antiviral therapy."

See: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19787818?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
10 Responses
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Avatar universal
   Hi there. I am about 4 months post Tx.  I have been taking a pretty high dose of vitamin D3, since my tx ended, about 5,000 mgs per day, and a B12 sublingual tab, 1000 iu's.
   I also make sure to get some sun everyday, but my depression has
gotten worse, on the dark days.
   You may want to try some probiotics, for your stomach. Perhaps during Tx, your intestinal balance was disturbed, and if it is replenished, your appetite will return.
     Have you tried drinking the caffeinated drinks, like coffee and tea? Green tea may help your appetite.  I am big on those, but nontheless, as soon as the sun goes down, my urge is to go to bed, and I think it may be post Tx depression for me also.  I am sure we probably suffer from a bit of Post Trauma, after these long medical  treatments, and all the anxiety involved, and the waiting, and uncertainty. That is alot of stress to take in, in one year.
    I understand why you dont want to go to your Doctors, since yr Tx, I feel the same way.  I think I would rather go to The Sauna~  good luck, and give it a bit more time~  
Helpful - 0
4309115 tn?1357606283
For what it's worth my friend who did 10 months of hep c treatment,was a carbon copy of just what you have described,she was afraid to close her eyes or she would fall asleep It's not that unusual some feel those effects more than others,but I would do as everyone has said and keep a check on your symptoms,good luck all the best.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can so relate, Terry.  I'm 7 months post tx and still feel pretty horrible most days.  I do get pockets of relief and that encourages me.  I look good on paper and doctors don't know what to do.  They think it's all depression.  I heard here to do a few things:  nurture my creativity, keep moving (walking), know it gets better, etc. I did start taking SAMe too.  I am kind of thinking I'm one of the one-year people now who don't get back to normal (whatever that is) until a year or more post tx.  I was really angry about it for a long time, but now Ithink I've let go some.  I like my simple life :)  I do have really down days (sick and tired of being sick and tired) but my brain and my humor are starting to come back. The good news is that it DOES GET BETTER....Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing...You are not alone...
Helpful - 0
3230925 tn?1397615965
An alternative to ADs that would definitely help you is vitamin D3 with bioavailability and a sad lamp.You got a good case of winter blues,and your depleted of the vitamin D3(sunshine vitamin) it would boost up your serotonin levels(the happy gene).
Helpful - 0
190885 tn?1333025891
looks like your pretty far up north terry...........these months are tough for lots of folks up here with it getting dark before 4:30....along with more cloudy days...its almost 8 am here and with the clouds its still kind of dark...i still haven't gone to work!....we sleep way more....its easy to get up tight....by 3rd week in feb things start looking good again..the foxes are out mating....and then everybody loves spring...the smells,sounds of the birds with long days will cheer you up....i always feel way better when i get down to southern florida for a break...at least 10 days...maybe even the keys...lots of water, sunshine,and grapefruits....you might try buying a 250 watt halogen light...and drink water!!......good luck.....billy
Helpful - 0
1394098 tn?1385960134
Thank you all for your answers.  They were encouraging.  I may go see my pcp soon.  I also read that malnutrition can cause a spike in your cholesterol.  It because the body is using its fat reserves more.  I dont remember the exact reasons.  It may have been a little above my head.  Anyway, I was especially encouraged by the article by Pooh 55811.  It may be the result of successful tx.  I also may be more depressed because I really believed I would feel great by now.  And the depression is leading to more problems as suggested by Dannyboi7.  I would say that Im glad that Im not the only one with this problem of still feeling so bad but Im not.  I dont wish this on anyone else.  I will refuse Statin drugs but I will change my activity level and watch the fat content of the foods more.  I need to eat more but maybe more nutritionally sound foods.  You have helped me not to just give up.  I and my family thank you for that.  I wish I could get on here and encourage ppl the way you guys do but Im afraid right now I might bring a negative feeling to ppl instead of a positive.  Maybe when this is all over I will spend more time on here helping others and doing research so I can give the same kind of intelligent answers that I have received on this forum.  I have been on other forums and this is by far the best one for quick answers and encouragement.  Thank you. Terry
Helpful - 0
3230925 tn?1397615965
  Sorry to hear feeling so bad.Sometimes after a succesful treatment cholesterol levels can get higher.This is more common in genotype 3 but also can happen with other genotype.From the info you provided you have all the symptoms of someone who is suffering from a depression.Over sleep,fatigue,no appetite ect.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.

Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.

Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).

Anger or irritability. Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.

Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.

Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.

Reckless behavior. You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports.

Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm


All the best to you

Dannyboi7
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
I am sorry you are feeling so poorly. But I'm afraid the only one that can help you is a doctor. Even if we were doctors we can't see you or examine you. We don't have all of your medical history. If there is a problem we can treat you either. Sorry...

As you said, it is probably nothing to do with hep C.

I wish we could help but the choice is yours do decide if you want to live with it or see a doctor.

Best of luck to you.
I hope you get to the bottom of it.
Feel better soon!

hector
Helpful - 0
2111792 tn?1342704627
It took me almost 18 months to recover after my first attempt at TX.  I felt so bad that I just slept all the time for the entire 48 weeks.  When you're inactive for that long it really takes a toll on your body.  After treatment I had to force myself to get up each and every day and do something... anything.  I found that the more I forced myself to do the more I felt like doing.  It was a long road, but it did eventually get better.

This time around I am trying harder not to get into that same rut... I rest when I need to, but am ever mindful of that need to recover afterwards!!

Exercise, along with a healthy diet, can help to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides.  Definietly keep an eye on this with your PCP, but also get up and get moving whenever you can.  

Hang in there!  Wishing you the best!
Helpful - 0
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